Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus belonging to the genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae. This group includes other clinically important viruses such as dengue virus (DENV), yellow fever virus (YFV) and West Nile virus (WNV). The ZIKV was first isolated in the Zika forest, Uganda, in rhesus monkeys (1947); and in humans in Nigeria (1954). The classic presentation of the disease is mild febrile syndrome, mild polyarthralgia, maculopapular rash, with or without myalgia, and with or without headache. It has been associated with the development of neurological disorders and possibly congenital malformations in pregnancy. Aedesaegyptimosquito is the main vector but other species and genuses would be involved. The ZIKV was a disease unattended by its limited number ofcases and under clinical impact compared to other arboviruses. By 2016, the World Health Organization declared the ZIKV as a public health emergency of international concern. Autochthonous transmission has been reported in many countries and territories and is expected to continue to expand into new areas, demonstrating the fragility of health systems and deficit control for these vectors. This review describes the state of the art of ZIKV, and its main general aspects